Relationship-specific closeness of intergenerational family ties - Findings from evolutionary psychology and implications for models of cultural transmission

Cross-generational cultural transmission is facilitated by affectional ties between cultural model and recipient. A theory of cultural transmission mu st therefore account for how and why affectional ties vary between differen t dyadic relationships. Findings on the tie strengths of several intergener ational kin dyads (grandparent-grandchild, grandparent-parent, aunt/uncle-n iece/nephew) as rated by recipients of kin investment (adult grandchildren or nieces/nephews) are presented, based on several studies with altogether more than 3,000 participants between 16 and 80 years old. The relationship structures were dyad specific; asymmetrical with atilt to the maternal side ; robust; and predictable from reproductively relevant variables of the kin persons involved, namely, sex-specific reproductive strategy, paternity unc ertainty, and genetic closeness. Implications for the study of intrafamilia l cultural transmission are discussed, with an emphasis on the importance o f evolutionary theory for this research field.